RIYADH — Ronnie O'Sullivan delivered one of the most extraordinary performances in snooker history, compiling two maximum 147 breaks in a single match during his 6-3 victory over Chris Wakelin in the semi-finals of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Masters.
The Rocket, already regarded as the greatest player of all time, further cemented his legacy by becoming the first player ever to achieve two maximums in a professional match. The feat came in frames three and seven of the best-of-11 encounter, leaving fans and commentators in awe of his mastery.
A Historic Night for Snooker
O'Sullivan's achievement marks only the third time in snooker history that two maximums have been made in the same tournament, let alone the same match. The 48-year-old joins an elite club alongside Jamie Cope (2006) and Stephen Hendry (1997), who previously achieved the feat in separate matches during single tournaments.
World Snooker Tour commentator Phil Yates described it as "the most astonishing exhibition of break-building I've witnessed in 30 years of covering the sport. Ronnie wasn't just playing snooker - he was rewriting its possibilities."
The Maximums That Shocked the World
O'Sullivan's first 147 came in the third frame after Wakelin had taken an early 2-0 lead. The break included several trademark shots:
- A daring long red to open the break
- Perfect positional play on the black throughout
- A pressure pink along the cushion at 104 points
- The final black under extreme tension
The second maximum arrived in frame seven with O'Sullivan leading 4-2. This break was arguably more impressive, featuring:
- Three difficult red-black combinations
- Precise cue ball control around the pink spot
- A crowd-silencing final black from distance
By the Numbers
The statistics behind O'Sullivan's performance are staggering:
- 2 maximum breaks in 9 frames (22.2% of frames played)
- 100% long pot success during the 147s
- Average shot time of 14.2 seconds across both maximums
- Career maximums now standing at 18 (extending his own record)
Opponent Reaction
Chris Wakelin, who played superbly himself with breaks of 89, 112 and 74, could only applaud his opponent's genius. "I've never seen anything like it," the world number 19 said afterwards. "To make one 147 is special, but two in a match? That's Ronnie being Ronnie. I actually felt privileged to be at the table witnessing history."
Prize Money Implications
The Saudi Arabia Masters introduced a groundbreaking prize structure for maximum breaks:
- $500,000 for the first 147 of the tournament
- $250,000 for any subsequent maximums
- Additional $100,000 bonus for multiple maximums by one player
This means O'Sullivan earned $850,000 just for his two 147s - more than the tournament winner's prize of $500,000. Tournament director Mike Ganley confirmed: "We wanted to make history with this event, and Ronnie has delivered beyond our wildest dreams."
What This Means for the Final
O'Sullivan will face Judd Trump in Sunday's final, with many wondering if he can maintain this incredible form. Trump, who defeated Luca Brecel 6-4 in the other semi-final, joked: "I might just ask for a 3-frame head start after seeing that performance. When Ronnie's in this mood, you're basically just a spectator."
Historical Context
O'Sullivan's achievement puts him further ahead in several key snooker records:
- Most career maximums (18, next is Stephen Hendry with 11)
- Fastest competitive 147 (5 minutes 8 seconds in 1997)
- Oldest player to make a 147 (now extended to 48 years)
- First player with multiple 147s in a match
As the snooker world processes this historic night, one thing is certain - Ronnie O'Sullivan continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the sport. His semi-final performance will be remembered as one of snooker's defining moments, a perfect storm of skill, nerve and sheer audacity that may never be matched.
